Shortly before 2 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 18-year-old Angel Tellez crashed the Toyota Tacoma he was driving into a traffic signal pole near the Arlanza neighborhood in Riverside. While traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Arlington Avenue, Tellez veered into the opposing lane of traffic and slammed into the pole at the intersection with Crest Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene about thirty minutes later. Emergency responders extricated an 18-year-old female passenger from the truck. She was transported to an area hospital to receive treatment for major trauma. Authorities are investigating the accident.

“When an accident results in injury or death, the victims or their families may hold the negligent driver liable for the expenses associated with their recoveries or losses,” explained California car accident lawyer James Ballidis.

In 2010, 1,316 people were killed or injured in traffic accidents that occurred in Riverside, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s most current statistics. Alcohol was a contributing factor to 129 of the fatal and injury collisions that occurred in the city that year. Drivers under the age of 21 were involved in 14 of the crashes that resulted in injury or death.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Angel Tellez. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the female passenger who was injured.